Flat stereotype metal distributor



Dec. 15, 1936. w. CRAWFORD FLAT STERECTYPE METAL DISTRIBUTOR Filed Jan. 28, 1935 4 Sheds- Sheet 1 ATTOR N EY w. L..CRAWFORD 2,064,734

FLAT STEREOTYPE METAL DISTRIBUTOR Filed Jan. 28, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 kw} E 742% Dec. 15, 1936.

INVENTOR d r M m 6. Z W M ATTOR N EY 1936- w. L. CRAWFORD FLAT STEREOTYPE METAL DISTRIBUTOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 28, 1955 mm Lzmwdmw ATTORN EY I Dec. 15, 1936.

W. L. CRAWFORD FLAT STEREOTYPE METAL DISTRIBUTOR Filed Jan. 28, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORN EY Patented Dec. 15, 1936 UNE'EED STATES PATENT OFFIQE 12 Claims.

The invention relates to apparatus for the casting of stereotype plates and more particularly to equipment for the delivery and distribution of the casting metal to a stereotype casting box.

The primary object of my invention is toprovide a stereotype casting apparatus by which molten metal is received from a melting pot and delivered to a stereotype casting box in a particularly practical and satisfactory manner, in which apparatus means are provided for the return to the melting pot of any excess metal.

A further object of my invention is to provide in apparatus of the character described means for dispensing the molten metal by which to' simultaneously disperse the slag or other foreign matter in the molten metal, thus to prevent the entrance of same into the distributing apparatus.

Another object of my invention is to provide a stereotype casting apparatus comprising means for the selective distribution of the molten metal into a stereotype casting box by which to obviate the various objectionable results now occurring in such processes so as to produce a superior stereotype plate.

The invention will be fully and comprehensively understood from a consideration of the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings which form part of the application, with the understanding, however, that the improvement is capable of extended application and is not confined to the exact showing of the drawings nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes and modifications may be made therein as do not afiect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating the practical use of my apparatus in conjunction with a melting pot and a stereotype casting box.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section view thru the distributor arm of my apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a plan View, partly broken away, in section of the distributor arm as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the distributing head; and

Fig 5 is an end elevational view of the distributing head, as shown in Fig. 4, partly broken away.

Referring now to the drawings for a more detailed description thereof, and particularly to Fig. 1, illustrating the general arrangement and application of my apparatus, a brief description of same follows. It will be noted that two positions of the apparatus illustrated are shown. The position illustrated in full lines illustrates the apparatus arranged for the delivery of metal to the casting box. The dotted line position of the apparatus shows same in its inoperative position, the casting box being open preparatory to the removal of the finished stereotype plate. The numeral 6 indicates a metal melting furnace, the metal pot l of which contains an adequate supply of molten stereotype casting metal. My stereotype casting apparatus comprises in general a base 8 upon which is vertically supported a standard 9 having an adjustable bracket l0 secured thereon. The bracket ID includes a pair of arms H upon which a distributor arm I2 is swingably mounted by means of the trunnions l3. The distributor arm l2 comprises in general an intermediate tubular structure M at one end of which is provided a metal receiving ladle I5. To the opposite end of the intermediate structure M is affixed at distributing head Hi, from which molten metal is supplied to a conveniently arranged stereotype casting box I1.

Since the stereotype casting box l'l illustrated is of the usual construction and arrangement now in general use, a detailed description of same is not required. It is however to be noted that the hingedly connected members l8 comprise the casting moldfor the formation of the stereotype plate in conjunction with a matrix l9 disposed therein. The free edge of one of the members I8 is bevelled so as to form a tunnel-like structure for the reception of the molten metal from the distributor apparatus of my invention. The stereotypecasting box, as illustrated, is of the type designed to produce flat stereotype plates. It will however be obvious after a more detailed description of my apparatus is given that by an appropriate arrangement of some of the elements therein the apparatus may be readily adapted for use in conjunction with curved or semi-cylindrical stereotype plates.

The trunnions l3 provide for the swinging of the distributor arm l2 so as to adjust the elevation of the distributor head IS in relation to the casting box l1, and likewise to facilitate the dipping of the ladle l5 into the molten metal within the melting pot 1. To further assist in the manipulation of the distributor arm l2 a counterbalance is provided which comprises a flexible cable 20, one end of which is attached to the distributor end of arm l2. Asheave 2| rotatably mounted on the upper portion of standard 9 guides in the cable 20 as the arm I2 is swung in either direction. A counterweight 22 is secured to the other end of cable 20 by which to hold the distributor arm I2 in any desired position. An adjustable rod 23 mounted on bracket I0 and engaging with the distributor arm I2 in its lowermost position provides a positive stop for same.

A detailed description of the distributor arm I2 of my apparatus now follows, during which attention is directed particularly to Figs. 2 and 3. As aforementioned, the distributor arm I2 comprises the intermediate tubular structure I4, the metal receiving ladle I5 and the distributor head I6, the joint function of which is to receive and convey from a suitable melting pot I the molten metal and to deliver same via the distributing head to the stereotype casting box. The metal receiving ladle I 5, disposed at one end of the arm I2, is preferably of cylindrical shape, the sides of which converge into a constricted passage 24, the axis of the ladle being transverse to the arm I2. An oblong aperture 25 is provided in the upper portion of the ladle I5 from the rear edge of which extends a plate 26, the upper surface of which is tangential with the periphery of the ladle I5 and in substantial parallelism with the longitudinal axis of the arm I2. The edge of the plate 26 parallel to the longitudinal side of the aperture 25 is bevelled so as to provide a sharp edge 21. A function of the plate 26 is to remove or disperse the slag floating on the surface of the molten metal during the dipping of the ladle I5. This action is illustrated in Fig. 1 from which it will be apparent that as the ladle I5 is being submerged the edge 21 is the first portion of the plate 26 to be submerged. During the lowering of the ladle I5 the edge 2'! cuts a line in the slag surface of the molten metal and thereafter an appreciable area of the molten metal surface is cleared, the slag becoming entrapped below the plate 26 or is dispersed beyond same. When the entire ladle is submerged to receive the metal into the aperture 26 the metal will naturally flow from the region of the cleared surface thus to prevent any slag entering the ladle I5.

In order to permit the control of the molten metal from the ladle I5 into the distributor arm a valve 28 is provided. This valve is of the rotatable tapered plug type, the axis of which is arranged transverse of the arm I2. The nuts 29 provide adjustment for the tapered plug of the valve 28, which is provided with a thru radial slot 30 in registry with the passage 24. To facilitate the convenient operation of the valve 28 from a position normally occupied by the operator a valve operating mechanism is provided which comprises an arm 3| fixedly attached to the valve plug, a connecting rod 32 and a lever handle 33 arranged and connected substantially as shown in Fig. l. The lever 33 is positioned for the convenience of the operator near the distributing head of my apparatus and is pivotally mounted on the arm I2. The connecting rod 32 has its ends hingedly connected respectively to the lever handle 33 and the valve arm 3|. The valve 28 is provided with stops, not shown, by which the full open or closed position of said valve is deter mined.

Attention is directed to Fig. 2 in which the structure and arrangement of the intermediate member I4 and the distributing head I6 are shown. In both of the members I4 and I6 a pair of longitudinal passage-ways is provided. The upper passage-way 34 connects at one end with the valve 28, the other end thereof terminating in the interior of the distributor head I6 thru an abrupt vertical passage 35. The lower passageway 36 extends from the interior of the distributor head I6 to terminate obliquely as at 33a outside the member I4. The terminal 35a is so disposed near the ladle end so that metal passing thru the lower passage 36 is delivered into the melting pot I.

The sides and bottom of the passage 36 diverge toward the distributing head I6 so as to form therein a reservoir 31, the capacity of which is adequate to contain sufficient molten metal to complete the casting of an entire stereotype plate. The function of the passages 34, 35 and 36 in cooperation with the ladle I5 and the reservoir 37 will be more obvious from an inspection of Fig. l in which both the operative and inoperative positions of the distributor arm I2 are illustrated. As previously described, the metal is received into the ladle I5 while the distributor arm I3 is in an appropriate oblique position, the valve 28 being closed. The distributor arm I2 is then swung down to approximately horizontal position so that the distributor head I6 thereof is in position over the stereotype casting box ll. The valve 28 is then opened by swinging the lever handle 33 whence the metal runs thru the upper passage 34 and the vertical passage 35 into the reservoir 31, the arm I2 being at a suificient inclination to permit the free running of the molten metal.

The metal is then decantered from the reservoir 31 by means hereinafter described. In order to insure an adequate supply of molten metal a greater quantity than is actually required is con- Veyed to the reservoir 31. After the casting process has been completed the excess metal is returned to the melting pot I by again raising the distributor head or the arm I2 so that the excess metal remaining in the reservoir 37 will flow back to the melting pot 1 thru the lower passage 35. It is of course obvious that in order to prevent the chilling of the metal during this handling that the distributor arm I2 may be equipped with such auxiliary heating elements and suitable insulating material as to prevent the occurrence of this effect.

The detailed description of the arrangement and controlling mechanism of the distributor head I6 now follows, during which attention is directed to Figs. 2, 4 and 5. It is to be observed that the function of this portion of my apparatus is to regulate and control the supply of the molten metal into the stereotype casting box as desired by the operator. For this purpose a series of valves 38 of the tapered plug type are arranged in a row across the vertical end of the distributor head I6. The axes of valves 38 are in substantial parallelism with each other and approximately at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the arm I2. The numeral 39 indicates the rotatable valve plug which has an axial bore 40 extending from its lower end which when the valve is in open position is connected to the reservoir 3'! thru the port 4|. The port 4| is cut thru the end wall of the distributor head I5 and thru the body of the valve 38 to terminate in the axial bore 40 of the valve plug. Each valve 38 is equipped with a lever arm 42, which arm is free to rotate on the shank of the valve plug 39, the engagement of these members being effected by the insertion of a slidable pin 43. The pin 43 is slidably mounted in the center portion of the lever arm 42 and is provided with grooves 44 which, in conjunction with the ball catch 45, determine the position of the pin 43.

A block 46 attached to the pin 43 and slidably mounted in a slot 47 provides a convenient means for moving the pin 43, which when it is pushed forward engages the lever arm 42 onto the shank of the valve plug 39 and in the retracted position disengages these members.

In order to provide for operation of all of the valves at one time a cross bar 58 is disposed laterally of the distributor head to slide in blocks 439 and has each of the lever arms t2 pivotally connected to it by means of the stud screws 50 slidably engaged in slots 5! cut in the lever arm 42. One of the arms 42 is extended to cooperate With a quadrant 52 in which a series of holes 53 are arranged to receive a stop 54 by which the extent of the opening in the valves 38 may be predetermined. A tension spring 55, having its ends respectively attached to the distributor head 96 and the cross bar 48, urges the latter to the left, as shown in Fig. 4, thus to close the valves. A convenient means is arranged on the cross bar ill so that the valves may be held in open position and instantly closed as desired by the operator. This means comprises a post 56 swivelly mounted on the bar 48, into which is fitted a set screw 5'! adapted to engage a stop bar 58 slidably retained in the post 55. A leaf spring 59 carried on the bar 48 presses the right end of the stop bar 53 downward against a stop 69. A stop block (ii is mounted on the distributor head It to provide a shoulder against which the stop bar 58 engages in normal position. In considering the operation of the distributor head valve mechanism it is to be observed that the valves as shown in Fig. 4 are in closed position and in Fig. 5 are in open position. In preparation for the pouring or charging process the stop bar 58 is locked in the post 56 in such position as to determine the extent of the opening of the valves 38 when the latter is engaged with the block 68. The stop 54 on the quadrant 52 may assist in this setting. The cross bar d8 is then moved to the right by the handle 52 until the end of the stop bar 53 engages with the block 6i when the handle 62 is released. The valves are thus opened to a predetermined position, as shown in Fig. 5,

during which the metal in the reservoir 37 is being delivered to the stereotype casting box ll. As soon as the casting is completed the operator may instantly close all of the valves by pressing down the right end of the stop bar 5 3, whence the spring 55 moves the cross bar 38 to the left, thus closing the valves, as shown in Fig. 4.

To facilitate the even distribution of the metal from the respective valves 38 into the casting box ii an elongate funnel 63 is mounted on the lower portion of the distributor head it. The sides of the funnel 63 are disposed at an oblique angle to diverge into an enlarged opening at the top thereof to receive the molten metal from the valves 38. To further assure the even distribution of the metal in flowing thru the funnel 63 the lower side of the funnel is provided with a series of convex mounds 6A suitably arranged in relation to the bore 40 of the valve 38 so as to cause the metal issuing from same to be diffused or spread out as illustrated in Fig. 5. The funnel (i3 will thus cause the molten metal issuing from the distributor head it to be supplied to the casting box 9? in a continuous ribbon-like stream so that the entire breadth of the casting box form receives a uniform amount of metal at the same time. This feature of supplying the molten metal into the stereotype casting box assures a superior product.

In order to prevent the waste and annoyance of metal dripping from the funnel 63 after the completion of the process a drip tray 65 is pivotally mounted on the distributor head It by the pivots 66. The tray 65 is arcuate in cross-section so that when swung under the funnel 63, as shown in dotted line in Fig. 1, the tray may receive the metal dripping from the funnel. In the operative position the tray 65 is'swung to the position shown in full line in Fig. 1 by moving the lever handle 61.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In a machine of the character described, means swingably mounted and including a ladle adapted to be dipped into a melting pot containing molten metal, said means including also a body extending forwardly from said ladle, said body having a passageway thru which metal may flow from said ladle by tilting of said means in the appropriate direction, said means including a reservoir into which the metal may flow from said passageway, said means further including a part having a second passageway below said first passageway and extending rearwardly from said reservoir and adapted to return unused metal into the melting pot.

2. In a machine of the character described, means swingably mounted and including a ladle adapted to be dipped into a melting pot containing molten metal, said means including also a body extending forwardly from said ladle, said body having a passageway thru which metal may flow from said ladle by tilting of said means in the appropriate direction, said means including a reservoir into which the metal may flow from said passageway, said reservoir having a series of discharge orifices thru which metal may flow into a stereotype casting box, and a series of valves in said orifices.

3. In a machine of the character described, means swingably mounted and including a ladle adapted to be dipped into a melting pot containing molten metal, said means including also a body extending forwardly from said ladle, said body having a passageway thru which metal may flow from said ladle by tilting of said means in the appropriate direction, said means including a reservoir into which the metal may fiow from said passageway, said means further including a part having a second passageway below said first passageway and extending rearwardly from said reservoir and adapted to return unused metal into the meltin pot, said reservoir having a series of discharge orifices thru which metal may flow into a stereotype casting box, and a series of valves in said orifices.

4. In a machine of the character described, means swingably mounted and including a ladle adapted to be dipped into a melting pot containing molten metal, a plate extending from the upper edge of said ladle and tangential with the periphery thereof, a body extending forwardly from said ladle, said body having a passageway thru which metal may flow-from said ladle by tilting of said means in the appropriate direction, said means including a reservoir into which the metal may flow from said passageway.

5. In a machine of the character described, means swlngably mounted and including a ladle adapted to be dipped into a melting pot containing molten metal, said means including also a body extending forwardly from said ladle, said body having a passageway thru which metal may flow from said ladle by tilting of said means in the appropriate direction, said means including a reservoir into which the metal may fiow from said passageway, said reservoir having a series of discharge orifices thru which metal may fiow into a stereotype casting box, a series of valves in said orifices, and means secured to said reservoir and extending downwardly and forwardly therefrom and adapted to receive metal from said discharge orifices.

6. In a machine of the character described, means swingably mounted and including a ladle adapted to be dipped into a melting pot containing molten met-a1, said means including also a body extending forwardly from said ladle, said body having a passageway thru which metal may flow from said ladle by tilting of said means in the appropriate direction, said means including a reservoir into which the metal may flow from said passageway, said reservoir having a series of discharge orifices thru which metal may flow into a stereotype casting box, a series of valves in said orifices, and means secured to said reservoir and extending downwardly and forwardly therefrom and adapted to receive metal from said discharge orifices, the last-mentioned means including means for distributing or diffusing.

7. In a machine of the character described, means swingably mounted and including a ladle adapted to be dipped into a melting pot containing molten metal, said means including also a body extending forwardly from said ladle, said body having a passageway thru which metal may fiow from said ladle by tilting of said means in the appropriate direction, said means including a reservoir into which the metal may fiow from said passageway, said reservoir having a series of discharge orifices thru which metal may flow into a stereotype casting box, a series of valves in said orifices, and means for controlling all of said valves simultaneously.

8. In a machine of the character described, means swingably mounted and including a ladle adapted to be dipped into a melting pot containing molten metal, said means including also a body extending forwardly from said ladle, said body having a passageway thru which metal may flow from said ladle by tilting of said means in the appropriate direction, said means including a reservoir into which the metal may flow from said passageway, said reservoir having a series of discharge orifices thru which metal may flow into a stereotype casting box, a series of valves in said orifices, means for controlling all of said valves simultaneously, and means for holding said controlling means at a selected position.

9. In a machine of the character described, means swingably mounted and including a ladle adapted to be dipped into a melting pot containing molten metal, said means including also a body extending forwardly from said ladle, said body having a passageway thru which metal may fiow from said ladle by tilting of said means in the appropriate direction, said means including a reservoir into which the metal may fiow from said passageway, said reservoir having a series of discharge orifices thru which metal may fiow into a stereotype casting box, a series of valves in said orifices, and means for controlling all of said valves simultaneously, each of said valves including means connecting it with said control means and readily disconnectible therefrom.

10. In a machine of the character described, means swingably mounted and including a ladle adapted to be dipped into a melting pot containing molten metal, said means including also a body extending forwardly from said ladle, said body having a passageway thru which metal may fiow from said ladle by tilting of said means in the appropriate direction, said means including a reservoir into which the metal may fiow from said passageway, said reservoir having a series of discharge orifices thru which metal may fiow into a stereotype casting box, a series of valves in said orifices, means secured to said reservoir and extending downwardly and forwardly therefrom and adapted to receive metal from said discharge orifices, and a pivotally mounted plate adapted to be swung under said forwardly and downwardly extending means.

11. In a machine of the character described, a reservoir having a series of discharge orifices thru which metal may fiow into a stereotype casting box, and a series of valves in said orifices, said series of valves having means for diffusing the molten metal.

12. In a machine of the character described, a reservoir having a series of discharge orifices thru which metal may flow into a stereotype casting box, and a series of valves in said orifices, and distributing means secured to said reservoir and extending downwardly and forwardly therefrom, and diffusing means on said distributing means whereby to diffuse the molten metal discharged from said orifices.

WILLIAM L. CRAWFORD. 

